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Matildas go down to France

The Westfield Matildas have been defeated 3-2 by France in their second match of Cyprus Women’s Cup at GSP Nicosia.

The Westfield Matildas have been defeated 3-2 by France in their second match of Cyprus Women-s Cup at GSP Nicosia.

After conceding three goals in the first half, the Westfield Matildas staged a gallant fight back in the second half scoring twice through Sam Kerr and Emily Van Egmond, but were unable to find an equaliser.

The Westfield Matildas first goal came in the 52nd minute after a corner from the right was headed away by the French defence. Katrina Gorry-s miss-hit shot was cleverly flicked on by Emily Van Egmond-s to an unmarked Sam Kerr who made no mistake placing her shot to the far post and giving the French goalkeeper, Sarah Bouhaddi, no chance of saving.

The second came just after the hour mark when a cross to the far post in Kerr-s direction had her scrambling with her French marker for the ball. When the ball was not cleared properly, Gorry picked up the scraps just outside the box, the dribbled into the top left corner of the box but was fouled by a French defender in the process to be awarded a penalty. Van Egmond stepped up for the spot kick and sent Bouhaddi the wrong way placing her shot in the bottom right corner.

After the match, Westfield Matildas Head Coach Hesterine de Reus was disappointed with the result but encouraged by the way her team played.

“We were dominated in our match against France last year but this time we had more control of the game.

“Unfortunately we conceded 3 goals in the first half due to our own mistakes,” concluded de Reus.

In the other Group B match Scotland defeated the Netherlands 4-3.

The Westfield Matildas will face Scotland in their final group match on Monday 10 March 2014 (2.30am AEDT Tuesday 11 March 2014).